Weighted whirling loop



Sept. 15, 1970 Q-LARSON ET AL 3,528,654

' WEIGHTED WHIRLING LOOP Filed Aug. 22, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 .//70 a. 4/7250, JOHNS M/AOVEC,

J- 0- LARSON ET AL 3,528,654

Sept. 15, 1970 WEIGHTED WHIRLING LOOP 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 22, 1967 i United States Patent Office 3,528,654 Patented Sept. 15,, 1970 US. Cl. 272-74 10 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An amusement device having a loop adapted to encircle the arm or leg of a child or other person and to suspend a ball as a weight on the outer end thereof which swings about the arm or leg. The loop is formed of a strip bent back upon itself and preferably connected by a band with the ball having a swivel to prevent entanglement as the device is rotated around the arm or leg of the person. A flutter tab may be connected with the band, having one or more fingers thereon free for vibrating movement to effect noise during the swinging movement, thus increasing the amusement elfect.

One object of the invention is to simplify and improve amusement devices by providing a novelty toy as a unit for use by individuals in fun and play and for exercise.

Another object of the invention is to provide for jointed units forming a novel amusement device and which is capable of being used on a persons arm or leg in a circular motion.

These objects may be accomplished in certain embodiments of the invention by providing a loop formed of a strip of flexible material bent back upon itself to encircle the arm or leg and with the ends brought together at a fastening forming one end of an elongated flexible assembly and with a ball forming a weight at the opposite end of the flexible assembly.

A swivel is connected intermediate the loop and ball to prevent entangling or twisting due to rotation of the ball as the device rotates around the arm or leg in motion. A band may be provided in the flexible assembly extending lengthwise between the loop and the ball for novel effect, and there may be provided also a flutter tab secured in the bodyportion thereof, with one or more projecing fingers in positions for vibrating movement to effect desirable noise or sound, which adds interest and enjoyment during the rotary motion about the arm or leg.

These embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one form of the amusement device, illustrated as applied to a leg and showing the motion thereof;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the amusement device, detached therefrom;

FIG. 3 is a similar view, showing a modified form of amusement device;

FIG. 4 is a similar view, showing a further modification thereof;

FIG. 5 is a detail side elevation, showing the swivel and flutter tab assembly of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a similar view, showing a modified form of swivel and flutter tab assembly;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the amusement device, showing a further modification thereof;

FIG. 8 is a detail perspective view, showing still another modification of the ball end portion of the amusement device;

FIG. 9 is a cross section through a ball, showing one form of band connection therewith;

FIG. 10 is a similar view, showing another form of band connection therewith; and

FIG. 11 is a similar view, showing still another form of band connection therewith.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 in detail, the amusement device comprises a loop, generally designated by the numeral 1, formed of an elongated strip of flexible material bent back upon itself to encircle a leg or arm of a person, generally as indicated at L in FIG. 1, with the ends of the strip brought together and secured by a fastening device 2.

A rivet or other suitable fastening may be used at the point 2 for connecting the ends of the loop 1 together and may form a means of attaching the remaining portion of the flexible assembly to the loop so as to permit the assembly to swing about the leg L, generally in the manner indicated in full lines and in dotted lines in FIG. 1.

At the opposite end of the flexible assembly from the loop 1, a weight is provided, which is preferably in the form of a ball 3. This ball can be made of any suitable material desired for the purpose, such as rubber or plastic, but should have suflicient weight so that upon swinging motion of the arm or leg will extend the flexible assembly substantially in a straight line by centrifugal motion. An opening 4 is provided in a side thereof as a means of connecting the flexible assembly with the ball.

A band 5 has one end connected with the ball 3 and the opposite end extending toward the loop 1 spaced therefrom. The means of connecting the band with the ball is described thereinafter and is illustrated, for example, in FIGS. 9 to 11. Any suitable means may be used for the purpose.

Interconnecting the loop 1 with the band 5 is a swivel device, generally indicated at 6, which may be any conventional form of swivel, to allow relative rotation of opposite ends thereof. One end of the swivel device is connected with the fastening means 2 and the other end of the swivel device is connected by a fastening device 7 with the adjacent end of the band 5, so as to permit of relative rotation of the ball 3 and the band 5 with respect to the loop 1 during the centrifugal action of the flexible assembly about the arm or leg.

If desired, the band may be lengthened, as indicated at 15 in FIG. 3, with a consequent shortening of the loop 11 and connected with the ball 13. This band 15 may also be wider, as illustrated, so as to carry ornamentation on the surface thereof, as indicated at 18. In this form, the swivel 16 connects an end of the band 15 with the adjacent end of the loop 11. I

In the further modification shown in FIG. 4, the band 28 is connected between the ball 23 and the loop 21 by means of a swivel 26. In this form, however, the fastening 22 which secures the ends of the loop 21 together also secured not only the adjacent end of the swivel 26, but also the body portion 29 of a flutter tab, having fingers 30 which overlap the adjacent end of the band 28 extending lengthwise of the latter.

These fingers 30 are free of the band 28 and, being flexible, will vibrate as the flexible assembly is moved through the air in a rotary motion about the arm or leg, thus creating a noise or sound for amusement purposes.

In the form shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the flutter tab 2930 is interposed between the ends of the loop material 21, whereas in FIG. 6 this flutter tab may be secured, if desired, externally of the ends of the loop 21. While the same rivet 22 may be used for attaching the body portion 29 of the flutter tab as holds the ends of the loop together, other means may be used for securing the flutter tab in place. For example, the rivet may be provided with a snap action head or pressure type connection which will enable the flutter tab to be removed, if desired.

Another variation involves the connection of the band 35 directly with the loop 31 and spaced from the ball 33, as shown in FIG. 7. The end of the band 35 is connected with the swivel 36 to a short connecting tab 41 which engages the ball 33 in the hole 42. In this form, the flutter tab has the body portion 39 overlapping the outer end of the band 35 and is secured by the fastening of the swivel 36 thereto. The fingers 40 of the flutter tab are above and below the connecting strip 41 free thereof, and being flexible or capable of vibrating as the flexible assembly moves through the air during the whirling motion, as described.

This flutter tab may be reversed, if desired, so as to be secured upon the connecting strip 41, as shown in FIG. 8, with its fingers 40 overlapping the adjacent end of the band 35 free thereof as a means of effecting noisein the whirling motion.

The band may be connected with the ball in a suitable or desired manner, examples of which are illustrated in FIGS. 9 to 11. In FIG. 9, the ball 3 is shown as hollow and having an opening 4 in a side thereof through which a reduced portion of the band extends with an enlarged end portion 43 formed thereon. This may be so made as to bend downward to be inserted through the orifice 4, after which it will turn upright to lock the band in place in a side of the ball or other suitable means provided for securing the band thereto.

Another example is illustrated in FIG. 10, where the band 5 has an elastic cord 44 connected with the end thereof, provided with an enlarged knot or other means shown at 45, which will prevent its pulling out of the orifice 4. An opening 46 in the opposite side of the ball 3 may be formed which would enable the elastic cord to be pulled through so as to have the knot formed therein or attachment secured, after which this would pass through the enlarged opening but would not pass through the smaller orifice 4.

Still another modification is shown in FIG. 11 in which the ball 3 is substantially solid. A cord 47 passes through an orifice that extends through the ball and is secured by a clip or fastening 48 to keep it from pulling out.

The ball may also be provided with one or more noise or sounding devices, as indicated generally at 49 in FIG. 9, for novelty effect.

The band may be variously colored or ornamentation applied thereto so as to lend a colorful effect as it is viewed in use, as indicated at 18 (FIG. 13).

As a whirling toy around ones leg, the unit is a considerable improvement by the attachment of the band to the sphere or ball. The toy acts as an exercising device in that it requires an arduous effort. If it be applied to one of the legs which is whirled, as this flexible assembly is revolved, the person must learn to jump over it, which not only gives enjoyment, but exercise and challenge.

The swivel connection provides a smooth working action with less friction as it is operated. The swivel also lends its motion effectively as a flexible means for bending or collapsing action, or for wrapping the connection flat around the sphere. For example, the entire flexible assembly can be rolled up around the sphere so as to be tucked into a pocket to be readily carried as to be available when desired by the user.

The loop is of flexible flat material and serves as a means of attaching the unit to the leg for whirling or to the hand for twirling or for releasing, as a throwing act, or as a compaction means for rolling up the unit around the sphere.

The flutter tabs add interest and enjoyment due to the novel sound effect created during the whirling of the flexible assembly, which may be varied by lengthening or varying the number and size of the fingers and the relation thereof to the band. These flutter tabs may be permanently secured or detachably mounted so as to be readily removed, as by pressure tabs, clasps or other detachable fastenings.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in certain embodiments, it is recognized that other variations and changes may be made therein without departing from the invention as set forth in the claims.

We claim:

1. An amusement device comprising an elongated assembly having a loop of flexible flat strip material at one end and a. rollable weight with a circular periphery at the opposite end, and means forming a swivel in the assembly between the loop and the weight, said loop having end portions in side-by-side relation, and fastening means connecting said end portions with the swivel means.

2. An amusement device according to claim 1, including a band of flexible material intermediate the loop and the weight.

3. An amusement device according to claim 1, including a band of flexible material connecting the swivel means with the weight.

4. An amusement device according to claim 1, including a flutter tab connected to the assembly and having a finger portion thereon in position for vibrating movement.

5. An amusement device according to claim 1, the weight being ball-shaped and hollow with an opening in a side thereof receiving in said opening an adjacent portion of said assembly, and means within the hollow portion of the ball-shaped weight for anchoring the weight to the assembly.

6. An amusement device according to claim 1, said weight comprising a hollow ball having sound means therein.

7. An amusement device comprising an elongated strip means of flexible material bent back upon itself in a loop to encircle a member of a user for whirling the device, said strip means having a degree of flexibility so as to flex in response to centrifugal force applied thereto during whirling of said device so as to conform itself generally to the shape of a member about which it is whirled, said strip means having the ends thereof in side-by-side relation, a ball, a band having a width several times greater than the thickness and extending from the end-s of the loop material to the ball, swivel means for connectin-g said band with the loop, and means for connecting said band with the ball.

8. An amusement device according to claim 7, including a flutter tab having a body portion secured to the ends of the loop material and having one or more fingers thereon overlapping the adjacent end of the band free thereof for fluttering action relative thereto.

9. An amusement device comprising an elongated strip of flexible material bent back upon itself in a loop to encircle a member of a user for whirling the device, said strip having the ends thereof in side-by-side relation, an elongated band having one end spaced from the ends of the loop material, a swivel device extending in bridging relation between said ends of the band and said ends of the loop material, a fastening extending through the ends of the loop \material and through one end of the swivel device, a second fastening extending through the other end of the swivel device and through the band, a flutter tab having a body portion overlapping the loop end portions and secured by the first-mentioned fastening thereto, said flutter tab having fingers thereon overlapping the band free thereof for fluttering action relative thereto, a ball at the opposite end of the band, and means for securing said ball to the band.

10. An amusement device comprising a loop, said loop comprising an elongated strip of flexible flat material bent back upon itself to encircle the leg of a user for whirling the device about the leg, a ball adapted to roll on the floor during whirling of the device, a band extending from said elongated strip of flexible flat material to the ball, said band comprising a flat relatively wide strip of flexible material, means for connecting said band to said ball at one end of said band and to said loop at the other end of said band so that said band rotates about its length when said ball is caused to roll on the floor during whirling of the device.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS FOREIGN PATENTS 10/ 1913 Great Britain.

ANTON O. OECHSLE, Primary Examiner 15 T. ZACK, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. 

